An Anthology of Somali Poetry

by Andrzejewski, Bogumil W.

• ISBN13: 9780253304636
• ISBN10: 0253304636
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1993-09-01
• Publisher: Indiana Univ Pr

Summary

"This is a fascinating and unusual collection that deserves attention." -- Bloomsbury Review"... this anthology of poetry is a breath of fresh air. It provides the reader with the means of gaining a deeper insight into Somali life through what is to the Somalis their most important cultural form, namely, poetry." -- Bulletin of the School of Irental & African Studies"This affordable and beautifully produced book is a small jewel in the field of Somali studies, as it is the fruit of over forty years of dedicated linguistic and literary scholarship by one of the most thorough and accurate translators and analysts of Somali poetry, B. W. Andrzejewski." -- International Journal of African Historical StudiesSomalia has been called "a nation of poets." This volume makes available in beautiful English translation the very best, and most universal, of Somali poetry, from the 19th century to the present. With appendixes covering the oral and written medium, the pronunciation of Somali words, alliteration and scansion, selected bibliography, and sources.

Author Biography

B. W. ANDRZEJEWSKI is Emeritus Professor of Cushitic Languages and Literatures in the University of London, where he was a faculty member of the School of Oriental and African Studies from 1952 to 1982. SHEILA ANDRZEJEWSKI (n+¬e Weekes) accompanied her husband on most of his research travels and shares his interest in the literary culture of Somalia.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
To the Camels	p. 7
A Broken Betrothal	p. 9
A Horse Beyond Compare	p. 9
Riposte to a Young Opponent in a Poetic Duel	p. 12
Old Age	p. 13
A Young Sultan Speaks to His People	p. 14
Guulside the Victory Bearer	p. 15
Seventy and Ten Years	p. 17
Camel Rustling - 1	p. 19
Camel Rustling - 2	p. 21
The Death of a Friend	p. 24
A Fine War Horse	p. 27
A Land of Drought	p. 32
Treason	p. 33
A Terrible Journey	p. 36
Folly	p. 41
Perhaps the Trumpet Has Sounded	p. 42
A Prayer for Maryam	p. 46
The Lion's Share	p. 48
Change of Command	p. 51
A Hoopoe Rebuked	p. 52
Listen, O Truck	p. 54
Fleeting Joys	p. 55
What Will Come Next?	p. 57
Equality	p. 59
The Stolen Wife	p. 62
In Praise of Barni Sheekh	p. 63
Dissimulation	p. 65
A Vain Love	p. 66
A Vision	p. 67
The Messenger	p. 67
A Chief Is Thanked for the Gift of a Horse	p. 69
Where True Profit Lies	p. 72
In Praise of Weris	p. 76
The Serpent	p. 79
A Lover's Fears	p. 85
Happy Marriage	p. 86
The Betrayed Girl	p. 87
Bitter and Sweet	p. 88
At the Grave of Cilmi Bowndheri	p. 90
Beledweyn	p. 93
App. I: The Oral and the Written Medium	p. 99
App. II: Pronunciation of Somali Words	p. 101
App. III: Alliteration and Scansion	p. 103
App. IV: Selected Bibliography	p. 105
App. V: Sources	p. 109
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.